Palop hails "lucky" saves

Palop saved three of Espanyol's four penalties in a dramatic shoot-out in Glasgow to retain the trophy for Sevilla but, despite his heroics in between the sticks, Palop remained humble and paid tribute to his team-mates.

"Penalties are a question of luck," Palop said. "There is not just one hero in this team. To have won two consecutive European finals means we are all heroes.

"To stop three out of four penalty kicks is a mix of fortune, intuition and hard work every day. I knew the style of all the Espanyol players, but with the tension of the moment, I had doubts over the details."

Sevilla became only the second team in history to successfully defend their crown - Real Madrid are the only other team to have recorded the feat in1987 - but the Andalucians still have a great deal to play for this season, and Palop is focused on their charge to the Liga title and the Copa Del Rey final.

"My aim in the team is to help and to stop goals. I believe I have done that and now we need to continue in the same way, because there is still the league and the Copa Del Rey.

"This year could be the best in the history of Sevilla because today I believe there are no limits."

Sevilla are currently third in La Liga, just two points behind leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Barcelona with four games to play, while they face Getafe in the final of the Copa Del Rey.